SINGAPORE. 
375 
the accumulation of filth, surprised as well as disgusted; for although 
it was reached at every tide by the water,* yet there was ample neces¬ 
sity for the use of brooms and shovels. The Chinese, though cleanly 
in their persons, are far from being so in their general habits, if we may 
judge from those that I have met in the places we have visited. 
On landing, that which impresses a stranger most strongly, is the 
great variety both of costume and of race. Almost every person that 
is encountered appears different from his predecessor, so that it is some 
time before it can be decided which nation predominates; but on 
reaching the old town, this is no longer doubtful, for the Chinese are 
soon found to be the most numerous. 
The variety of religious sects also soon become evident. All have 
their places of w r orship, and enjoy the free exercise of their religion, so 
that in passing around, the mosque of the Mahomedan, the temple of 
the Chinese, and the churches of various Christian sects, are met with 
in their turn. 
The number of spoken languages is such as to recall the idea of 
Babel, and to excite a desire to learn the cause of such a collection of 
nations. This is partly to be found in the favourable commercial site 
of Singapore, on the great highway between the Eastern and Western 
nations, and in the protection afforded to all by its being under a 
European power, but chiefly in the fact of its being a free port, in 
every sense of the word. All are allowed to visit it without any 
question being asked; pirates of any nation may refit here, and no 
doubt frequently do, without any molestation, so long as they keep the 
peace. 
I was much struck with the apparent absence of either police or 
military force ; but after some inquiry, I was satisfied, by the order and 
general quiet of the multitude, that there must be a controlling power 
within reach, and found the policemen under the semblance of Persians, 
easily distinguishable by their neat and cleanly appearance. They are 
generally better dressed than the body of the inhabitants, and are to 
be known by their red and black sashes, and turbaned heads. Without 
the precincts of the town, a regiment of Sepoys, six hundred strong, and 
officered by Europeans, is stationed. These are to be seen habited like 
English soldiers, in close-bodied red coats, than which a more inappro¬ 
priate dress in such a climate as this can scarcely be imagined. 
Before proceeding with the description of Singapore, it will be as 
well to give some account of its settlement and progress to its present 
prosperous condition. 
It appears that the idea of occupying a position in the Straits of 
Malacca did not occur to the East India Company until they were 
